CEP 101 for Residents

California Emergency Physicians Medical Group offers a wide variety of practice opportunities throughout the United States, ranging from trauma centers to teaching institutions and community hospitals. CEP's democratic structure allows for local site independence while retaining the brain trust of a larger organization for resources and support. In addition, we've provided information on partnership advancement and the benefits of CEP.

Why is group ownership so important?

Since 1975, CEP has provided opportunities for all physicians to share in the group's ownership, participate in the governance and decision-making process, and receive a fair share of earnings. CEP is organized as a physician partnership rather than a professional corporation and there are no employee, independent contractor, or locum tenens physicians. For more than 30 years, our Partnership has emphasized openness, fairness, and full participation from all partner physicians in its approach. This has allowed us to attract and retain quality career emergency physicians and long-term hospital clients, leading in turn to outstanding long-term work opportunities and business success. The manner in which CEP compensates its physicians and relates to its physician partners is embodied in a comprehensive Partnership Agreement, which can only be altered by two-thirds of the voting interest of the Partnership. CEP encourages participation from and contribution by all of its partners. Voting on Partnership issues, participating in CEP committees, and working on hospital committees or with community groups are all seen as vital to CEP's strategic success.

What are the main differences between a large and small group?

A large group is usually defined as one that provides practice management support to several Emergency Department clients and emergency physicians. These products and services can range from billing, compliance, risk management, human resources, recruiting and credentialing, and much more. A small group can be defined as a core group of physicians that provides staffing to one site - otherwise known as a solo group. Physicians should take the time to understand the structure of the groups they are considering. Not all large groups are corporate, and not all small groups offer true ownership opportunities.

What makes CEP unique is that its physician partners have equal ownership in the group, is privately owned, and allows each client to manage their individual site that best meets their needs. CEP offers the best of both worlds of a large and small group - local site autonomy and strong support and resources on a broader scale when needed.

What are CEP's advantages over a smaller, or solo, group?

CEP secures long-term and satisfying work opportunities for its high quality physician partners by enabling physicians to enjoy the best attributes of both a small and large Emergency Department group. Physician Partners can feel they are an integral part of the local community and the hospital team and, at the same time, retain the ability to access the brain trust of a larger organization to help find solutions to local issues. This is CEP's differentiation from others-local partner/owner medical services supported by broad-based administrative management, products, and services.

CEP created a management services organization, MedAmerica, which provides a complete range of physician support services to CEP emergency medicine practices. MedAmerica is not a traditional practice management company, as it does not control governance, political structure, or internal finances of its client, CEP. Each physician partner has a vested interest in the success of CEP's support services. MedAmerica provides the following practice management services:

• Billing and reimbursement
• Risk management and professional liability insurance through MedAmerica Mutual Risk Retention Group
• Retirement and health plans
• Practice management support
  • Information Technology
  • Clinical support systems
  • Recruiting and credentialing
  • Compliance programs
  • Best practice protocols and guidelines

How can CEP advance my career?

Unlike the situation in many other emergency physician groups, all CEP physicians have the opportunity to progress through the Partnership by meeting established criteria, including Board certification, at the time of entry into the medical group. The expectation is that all full-time physicians will advance through the Partnership to become Full partners. Every CEP partner (Level 2 and above) is required, based on their medical specialty, to be a member in good standing of either ACEP, AAEM, SAEM, AAFP, OPSC, AAPS, ACP, ACOEM, or CMA. Nearly all of CEP's physician partners are board certified. New Partners are encouraged to develop their interest in medical administration by assuming local responsibilities, serving on select committees, and attending the CEP Medical Director Academy. There are also opportunities to become involved in CEP's leadership by becoming a Medical Director or Regional Director and serving on the Board.

What are the benefits of joining CEP?

The benefits of joining the Partnership include a competitive income; partners also participate annually in a share of CEP's profitability. CEP offers a self-funded health plan that includes medical, vision care, optional dental benefits, and dependent and prescription coverage. Both a defined benefit pension plan and an exceptional 401(k) plan are available to each partner.